Birmingham Sight Loss Council’s Collaboration with Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and Birmingham Sight Loss Council (SLC), has launched a ground breaking initiative to improve patient experience and engagement of blind and partially sighted people.

The initiative focuses on personalised care, ensuring that patients receive tailored services that meet their needs. Alex Evans, Patient Experience and Engagement Lead for Birmingham Community Healthcare said:

“I work in the NHS, and during the pandemic my uncle, who was blind, passed away. He was an inspiring person who made me think about the healthcare experiences of our blind and partially sighted patients. During that time we developed a partnership with Louise Connop, a Senior Engagement Manager at Thomas Pocklington Trust, and we created a focus group where patients with sight loss could share their views about NHS services and work with the Trust to co-produce small changes that could improve their overall health and wellbeing.”

One example is that we created an area on the clinical record alongside our Digital Technology Service for reasonable adjustments and communication preferences. Clinicians could then ask blind patients questions like, “Would you like a phone call instead of a letter to arrange your appointments with us.” Or, for partially sighted patients, perhaps they might want their letter in a larger font on yellow paper for contrast.

Steve Keith, a long-time member of Birmingham Sight Loss Council, shared his views:

“Part of what I want to achieve is to make my life, and other people’s lives with visual impairments, easier and better.”

headshot of Steve smiling at camera. He is wearing a white t-shirt with the words ‘converse’ on it – so may not want to use as branded.

Steve’s insights have been invaluable in shaping the services offered, encouraging doctors and nurses to add simple details to referrals so that services are ready. Examples include: “Patient is registered blind and has a guide dog.”

The initiative also focuses on practical aspects of navigating healthcare. From guiding patients through physical spaces to ensuring they can access services online, the partnership aims to reduce the challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people.

“Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming, especially with the shift to online services,” noted Steve. “This initiative ensures that support is available, whether through receptionists or accessible technology.”

Another expert-by-experience, Winston Walker, recalled how he had missed hospital appointments after losing his vision during the pandemic because he could no longer read letters from the NHS. Winston says that receiving a phone call, for him would be far better to ensure he doesn’t miss a vital appointment.

Winston said:

“We’re living in a technological world, and I don’t think that blind and partially sighted people’s needs have been taken into consideration. Especially when it’s comes to using services. I’d look to the big tech companies who create Android or iOS devices to ensure that better technology can be developed for people with sight loss.”

A Vision for Sight Loss Awareness

Louise Connop said:

“Working with Alex and the team at BCHCT has enabled us to start to explore ways that we can improve services. Our volunteers have helped to co-produce several changes such as the creation of a secret password on the clinical system. We are proud to have now trained over 600 staff with our sight loss awareness training, raising awareness of what can be done to improve services for blind and partially sighted people.”

Picture shows Senior Engagement Manager at TPT, Louise Connop standing alongside Birmingham Community Healthcare's Richard and Meena. Meena is holding a white cane.

Birmingham SLC volunteers and the project team have delivered simulation spectacle and vision awareness sessions, allowing NHS staff to experience what it might be like to live without vision. Simulation spectacles replicate the experience of many patients with their various eye conditions.

The project was launched with a training documentary for all NHS staff.  It is intended that findings will be presented at the NHS Confederation in 2025.

Sight Loss Councils, funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, are regional groups led by blind and partially sighted people. Together, they work with organisations to ensure what they do is accessible and inclusive.

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